The Insight Ful Wanderer

Driving itself is a risk, so as responsible individuals, we need to avoid any potential hazard that can compromise our safety and that of others. Additionally, if you are applying for a job, your DUI conviction could be a hindrance. Employers usually conduct a background check and if you have a DUI conviction, expect it to show up in your records. Several employers are hesitant to hire applicants with a DUI conviction, as they could be a liability to their company. If you are applying for a mortgage loan or looking for an apartment, there is a chance that your applications might be affected.

In 2002, 41 percent of the drivers killed in crashes were killed in alcohol-related crashes, compared with 37 percent of passenger deaths and 47 percent of pedestrian deaths. Of all pedestrian deaths, 17 percent involved a driver who had been drinking and 38 percent involved a pedestrian who had been drinking. In 7 percent of pedestrian deaths, both the driver and the pedestrian had been drinking (NHTSA 2003f ). Alcohol impaired driving is interpreted by some states differently and vary in the penalties and consequences. When you drink and drive, you’re compromising cognitive ability and responsiveness, which increases your risk for an accident. Get caught, and a single drunk driving infraction may have legal, financial, personal and even professional ramifications.

Characteristics of Alcohol-Related Fatalities

See Chapter 6 for information on the importance of data on place of last drink. Unlike many other behaviors that pose serious risks to health and safety (e.g., smoking and violence), alcohol consumption has a more complex relationship with SES (Jones et al., 2015). People with higher incomes and levels of education are more likely to drink alcohol and to drive while impaired when compared to lower income and less educated populations. Thus, a paradox exists between patterns of behavior and attributable harm when examining these through the lens of SES.

While more serious than a traffic infraction, a misdemeanor might not have a substantial impact on the defendant’s employment or education opportunities. In many states, an impaired driving conviction requires the offender to complete an alcohol and drug evaluation, the results of which can be used by the judge to decide whether treatment is appropriate. Depending on the circumstances, the driver might have to complete inpatient or outpatient substance abuse treatment or just an educational course on substance abuse. While drunk driving fatalities have been nearly cut in half since 1982, driving under the influence (DUI) continues to be a factor in a third of all fatal crashes. Vehicle miles traveled experienced a downturn in 2009—most likely from the financial crisis; it has since increased and is now at the highest level in U.S. history (FHWA, 2017).

Epidemiology and Consequences of Drinking and Driving

However, among all alcohol-impaired driving fatalities in 2014, 52 percent occurred in rural areas and 47 percent occurred in urban areas. Vehicle miles traveled (VMT) per capita differ greatly in rural versus urban areas, with rural areas having far greater VMT per capita (Mattson, 2016). The most frequently recorded BAC among alcohol-impaired drivers in fatal crashes in rural areas was 0.19% and 0.14% for urban areas (NCSA, 2016c). DWI arrest rates also vary according to rural and urban composition, what are the consequences of drinking and driving with arrests in nonmetropolitan areas outnumbering metropolitan arrests since the early 2000s (Huseth, 2012). Rural populations also suffer a much higher fatality rate from motor vehicle crashes (alcohol related and non-alcohol related) than urban residents. While 19 percent of the U.S. population lives in rural areas and rural areas account for 30 percent of total vehicle miles traveled, more than half of crash deaths occur there (FHWA, 2015; IIHS, 2016; U.S. Census Bureau, 2010).

This type of crash among adults (i.e., those age 21 and older) declined 3 to 4 percent both in zero tolerance States and comparison States. The FARS does not routinely record the race and ethnicity of people who die in motor vehicle crashes. However, from 1990 to 1994 a special initiative linked nearly 200,000 records from FARS with death certificate information on race and ethnicity from the National Bureau of Health Statistics (Voas and Tippetts 1999). Information was available only for people who died in crashes, not drivers who survived fatal crashes.

Typical Penalties for a First, Second, and Third DUI

If you witness impaired driving, safely pull over to the side of the road or a parking lot and call 911. Not only to the driver, but also to those on the road around the driver operating the vehicle. The legal penalties for alcohol-related vehicular manslaughter are steep – in many states, prison sentences can be as long as 20 or 30 years.

When you’re living a life of sobriety, do yourself a favor, and remove temptations. Living sober requires identifying triggers that could cause a relapse. Often when people relapse, they’ve attempted to quit using on their own, and then they later seek out a sober community for support or treatment. Triggers can come in many forms, and they’re different for everyone.

You have the freedom to come and go as long as you follow the curfew, unlike in residential treatment. Although halfway houses have a lot of similarities with sober living homes, there are a few key differences. Healthline honored the blog Drunky Drunk Girl as one of the best alcoholism blogs of 2016. This blogger tackles topics like her fear of going out to social events, wondering if she is consuming too much caffeine, whether or not she misses drinking, and more.

Fresh Start Blog

A life of substance abuse can mean strained relationships with family members, or it can be a deterrent to developing healthy relationships. Breaking promises or exhibiting aggressive behaviors damages relationships and breaks trust. Once you’re sober, you’ll likely notice more money in your wallet. That’s right — substance use disorders can drain your finances. One of the benefits of a sober life is not wasting good money on a good buzz. I first joined the Living Sober forum after an especially difficult day in February of 2017, and received immediate support from other members.

• From how-to’s and videos to podcasts and guest posts from others in the recovery world – if there’s something you need, chances are Simon has it on his blog.
• Alcohol has been linked to over 200 diseases or serious injuries.
• Most program participants are in the process of transitioning from intensive substance abuse treatment to independent living.

The drugs made her feel whole and did not make her feel less than. She did the 12 step program in 2009 and was sober for 6 years. She had been in 17 treatment facilities and nothing seemed to help her. The Up & Out Sober Living offered her the structure she needed. Responsibility and independence are essential for sustaining lifelong sobriety. Sober living homes help residents learn independence while offering guidance and support throughout the process.

Tribe Sober

Tammi Salas’s blogs are some of the most visually appealing pieces I’ve ever read and witnessed. The majority of her content is devoted to highlighting each month of her sobriety. When Tammi was first getting sober, she looked for resources that provided the feelings around each milestone of sobriety. Shari Hampton brings us Served Up Sober, a company created for sober or sober curious women of color looking for healing and support. More than just a blog, Served Up Sober brings a plethora of resources to those seeking help and support.

She believes life is way too wonderful to spend it hating yourself. This list of the Top 25 Recovery Bloggers is full of great names that I personally love to read and share with you. Get to know the likes of Sasha Tozzi, Lazarus Letcher, Laura McKowen, and Sober Brown Girls among others.

Is a Sober Living Home Right for You?

I was sure that there MUST be other women out there like me, who drank like me and hadn’t wound up on skid row, but I didn’t know any in real life. In finding Living Sober, I found those women (and men) and I found the community and connection I’d been looking for my whole life. The advice, love and acceptance I found on Living Sober literally changed my life. You’ll find plenty of thought-provoking and inspiring reading material on our site. Advice on reframing your thinking, wisdom from people who have faced their own drinking issues and insights from addiction experts.

• Dawn Nickel and Taryn Strong are the incredible mother/daughter duo behind She Recovers.
• Both require residents to live on the premises full-time and work towards a sober lifestyle.
• Sober living skills will create a great outline for you to follow on your road to recovery.
• However, recovery is not finished once a treatment program ends.

There are a variety of different creative and educational resources, including perspectives, insights, reflections, artwork, comical relief, and recovery revelations. The site features some of the best names, voices, artists, and writers in the recovery world and it’s constantly evolving. And while this isn’t a list of top podcasts, you can’t mention Since Right Now without mentioning the highly acclaimed podcast that runs every Wednesday night. Since Right Now continues to be a space to watch (and listen). Olivia Pennelle is the writer behind the incredible blog, Liv’s Recovery Kitchen. Liv is a full-time writer and is in grad school to become a clinical social worker.

Living Sober Blogs

Learn how to navigate the grocery store, learn about nutrition, how to follow a recipe, and how to safely navigate the kitchen. There are so many things in life that we can do without thinking. Unfortunately, we may find that the outcome was not what we wanted. Sober living skills will create a great outline for you to follow on your road to recovery. Privacy Policy | Sitemap – © 2024 New Method Wellness
New Method Wellness is not affiliated with, employed by, or in contract with any treatment centers or providers. We do not accept or pay any fees or payments for behavioral health referrals.

For an overview of the rehabilitation process, see below or read our guide on the subject. Choosing a life of sobriety means choosing a healthy life for you and keeping the promises you make to yourself. With improved energy and motivation, you may find yourself starting to exercise and taking better care of yourself. As you go through your sobriety journey, you will have good days and bad days, and setbacks are part of the journey. It’s helpful to remember your “why” and consider writing it down.

Hip Sobriety

But, the issue with this is that alcohol can cause stress on the physiological balance of… The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that one in five Americans experiences a mental disorder or illness at one point. Moreover, one in 25 Americans has a severe mental illness, like major depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder.

Additionally, they share the following features in common. Continuing treatment is imperative to sustaining long-term sobriety. Sober living homes are a resource that can help those in recovery transition from structured treatment programs back to reality outside of treatment. A person’s living environment is critical when facilitating sobriety. Sober living homes help to provide protective factors that help individuals prioritize sobriety while also mitigating the risk of relapse.

Within the criminal justice system, halfway houses may help offenders recover from substance abuse problems. On the other hand, residents of sober living homes typically come from substance use treatment programs. Hip Sobriety is the result of one woman’s recovery—not only from alcohol abuse but also drugs and an eating disorder. Today she is a writer, an advocate for those in recovery, and a sobriety coach who https://ecosoberhouse.com/ blogs about her own recovery and offers encouragement and support for others. Her posts teach readers things like how to build a sobriety tool box and offer real-life advice on the daily challenges of sober living. These bloggers offer their unique perspectives on the struggles and triumphs of living a sober lifestyle and provide valuable resources and inspiration for others who are on the same journey.